United Kingdom general election, 1847
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29 July – 26 August 1847 (1847-07-29 – 1847-08-26) |
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All 656 seats in the House of Commons 329 seats needed for a majority |
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The 1847 United Kingdom general election saw candidates calling themselves Conservatives win the most seats, in part because they won a number of uncontested seats. However, the split among the Conservatives between the majority of Protectionists, led by Lord Stanley, and the minority of free traders, known also as the Peelites, led by former prime minister Sir Robert Peel, left the Whigs, led by Prime Minister Lord John Russell, in a position to continue in government.
The Irish Repeal group won more seats than in the previous general election, while the Chartists gained the only seat they were ever to hold, Nottingham's second seat, held by Chartist leader Feargus O'Connor.
The election also witnessed the election of Britain's first Jewish MP, the Liberal Lionel de Rothschild in the City of London. Members being sworn in were however required to swear the Christian Oath of Allegiance, meaning Rothschild was unable actually to take his seat until the passage of the Jews Relief Act in 1858.
Results
UK General Election 1847
Party |
Seats |
Gains |
Losses |
Net gain/loss |
Seats % |
Votes % |
Votes |
+/− |
|
Whig |
292 |
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|
+21 |
44.51 |
53.75 |
259,311 |
+6.9 |
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Conservative |
325 |
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−42 |
49.54 |
42.59 |
205,481 |
−8.2 |
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Irish Repeal |
36 |
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+16 |
5.49 |
2.93 |
14,128 |
+1.0 |
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Chartist |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+1 |
0.15 |
0.59 |
2,848 |
0 |
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Irish Confederation |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+2 |
0.30 |
0.14 |
661 |
N/A |
Total votes cast: 482,429.
[2]
Voting summary
Popular vote |
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Whig |
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53.75% |
Conservative |
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42.59% |
Irish Repeal |
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2.93% |
Chartist |
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0.59% |
Others |
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0.14% |
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Seats summary
Parliamentary seats |
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Whig |
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44.51% |
Conservative |
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49.54% |
Irish Repeal |
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5.49% |
Chartist |
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0.15% |
Others |
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0.3% |
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Regional results
Great Britain
Scotland
Party |
Candidates |
Unopposed |
Seats |
Seats change |
Votes |
% |
% change |
|
Whig |
48 |
21 |
33 |
+2 |
20,092 |
81.7 |
+20.9 |
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Conservative & Liberal Conservatives |
23 |
16 |
20 |
−2 |
3,509 |
18.3 |
−20.0 |
Total |
71 |
37 |
53 |
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23,601 |
100 |
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